|
No, window films do not cause seal failure. We have been applying film to insulated windows for over 30 years with several million square feet of film applied to date. When recommended films are applied to the inside pane of an insulated glass unit, there will be some absorption (except with clear safety films) of the sun's energy, which will increase the temperature of the glass pane. Some of this heat will transmit to the airspace, slightly raising the airspace temperature. Even a 20 degree F increase (unusual for most films) will result in a less than 3% change in air pressure, whereas properly made units are designed and tested to withstand 22% changes in air pressure. Risk of seal failure is greatly determined by the quality of workmanship and the quality of materials that go into building the insulated glass units. The best guard against seal failure is to purchase well-made units from reputable window manufacturers that have solid experience and histories with insulated units. How Long Will Film Last? The effective life of window film will vary by the type of film, type of glass, window construction, compass orientation of glass, and in which part of the world the building is located. There are documented cases of film lasting 12 to 22 years or more in some instances. This should not, however, be assumed to be the normal expected life. Window films for residential and commercial use are warranted by the film manufacturer. Please contact the manufacturer directly should any questions arise either before or after the installation of window film. How Am I Supposed To Clean My Windows After The Film Is Applied? Windows with film applied are easy to clean without damage to their appearance as long as a few common-sense guidelines are followed: 1. Use a soft, clean cloth, soft paper towel, or clean synthetic sponge. 2. Use a soft cloth or squeegee for drying the window. 3. Use normal glass cleaning solutions which do not contain abrasive materials. Can Window Film Be Used On Low E Windows? Yes, contact the IWFA for more information on this topic. Will Window Films Cause Glass To Break? No, window films do not cause glass to break. However, we do understand that the application of window film will increase the temperature of your sunlit glass which will increase the stress of the glass edges. The quality of those glass edges and several other factors (external shading, interior shading, glass history, type of film, size/shape of glass, indoor/outdoor temperature) all contribute to the potential risk of glass breakage. Our 30 years of experience applying window films to different types of glass enables us to make proper film/glass recommendations and minimize the potential for glass breakage. . The window film manufacturers have recommended film-to-glass tables for use by factory trained dealer installers. If a consumer is ever in doubt, they should request a copy of such guidelines. Listed below are some types of glass or conditions where the use of a solar control (not clear safety) type of film is not recommended without extreme caution. SINGLE PANE GLASS LARGER THAN 100 SQUARE FEET DOUBLE PANE GLASS LARGER THAN 40 SQUARE FEET CLEAR GLASS THICKER THAN 3/8 INCH TINTED GLASS THICKER THAN 1/4 INCH WINDOW FRAMING SYSTEMS OF CONCRETE, SOLID ALUMINUM, OR SOLID STEEL GLASS WHERE SEALANT OR GLAZING COMPOUND HAS HARDENED VISIBLY CHIPPED, CRACKED OR OTHERWISE DAMAGED GLASS REFLECTIVE, WIRED, TEXTURED OR PATTERNED GLASS TRIPLE PANE GLASS LAMINATED GLASS WINDOWS Does my window film installation qualify for a PG & E rebate? A $0.40 to $0.45 per square foot rebate is available to qualifying installations. Offer limited to customers with a valid PG&E commercial, industrial, or agricultural electric account number. Multifamily property apartment buildings and homeowner associations are not eligible. Film must have a minimum five-year manufacturer's warranty. Rebates are not available for windows with a Northern exposure. Additionally film must either have a shading coefficient of .45 or less and be applied to single pane glass, or film can have a shading coefficient of .55 or less and visible transmittance/shading coefficient (VT/SC) ratio >1.1. this must be documented on the invoice, as well as square footage. Check
with your local PG&E
office to confirm eligibility. |
